Get ready for one of Birgu’s most atmospheric nights of the year, as Museums by Candlelight returns on Saturday 18th April from 7:00pm onwards, with exciting new additions.

Organised by Heritage Malta in collaboration with the Birgu Local Council as part of the wider Heritage Alive campaign, the evening transforms some of the city’s most iconic sites into a softly lit, walkable experience shaped by light, music and history.

From 7:00pm until midnight, Fort St Angelo, the Inquisitor’s Palace and, for the first time ever, St Lawrence Church and Museum will open their doors under the glow of thousands of candles. Carefully placed along steps, ledges and doorways, their warm flicker brings out the textures of stone, the details of passageways, and the unique character of each space. Wandering through Birgu becomes part of the magic.

At the iconic Fort St Angelo, rising at the tip of Birgu’s peninsula, visitors can explore centuries of Maltese history – from the fort’s origins as Castrum Maris to its defining role during the Great Siege of 1565 and later as a Royal Navy base. The fort comes alive throughout the evening with music and activity, as the silken notes of Kathy the Violinist fill the air from 7:30pm to 10:30pm, followed by live performances by Bernie & Pod from 8:30pm till midnight. Artisan stalls and food stands add local flavour, while historical re-enactors stationed across the site bring an extra layer of colour and movement.

Earlier in the evening, the In Guardia procession kicks off at 7:00pm from Birgu’s main entrance, making its way through the streets with stops in front of the Inquisitor’s Palace and St Lawrence Church and Museum before arriving at the fort. This vibrant march connects the evening’s sites whilst echoing the ceremonial traditions that once shaped the city’s public life.

Step inside the Inquisitor’s Palace, a 16th-century building that served as the seat of the Roman Inquisition in Malta for over 224 years, and explore its striking contrasts – from elegant private apartments and reception halls to the tribunal, prison cells and torture chamber. Along the way, artefacts from the National Ethnographical Collection offer insight into craftsmanship and daily life. From 8:00pm to 11:00pm, harpist Jacob Portelli fills the palace with soft, heavenly harmonies.

At St Lawrence Church and Museum, visitors can admire a remarkable collection of objects linked to the Knights of St John and Malta’s artistic heritage. Highlights include Grand Master Jean de Valette’s hat and battle sword, rare 16th-century silver artefacts brought from Rhodes, and a Venetian painting attributed to Palma Vecchio. The church, designed by Lorenzo Gafà and an architectural masterpiece in its own right, also houses Mattia Preti’s dramatic depiction of the martyrdom of Saint Lawrence, alongside historic reliquaries, Gothic altar crosses and intricately carved wooden apostles by Mariano Gerada.

The event will take place on the International Day for Monuments and Sites, also known as World Heritage Day. This year’s theme, ‘Emergency Response for Living Heritage in Contexts of Conflicts and Disasters’, highlights the importance of protecting cultural heritage and strengthening resilience within communities, making this evening a timely celebration of Birgu’s living legacy.

Tickets granting access to all three sites cost €3 and are available online, at Heritage Malta museums and sites, or at the door of Fort St Angelo and the Inquisitor’s Palace during the event. Heritage Malta members enter free of charge, although pre-booking is required here or at Heritage Malta museums and sites.

Getting there is easy, with the Barrakka Lift and the Valletta ferry to the Three Cities operating with extended hours until midnight, alongside traditional Dgħajjes tal-Pass running throughout the evening. Parking will be available at the Fortini Ground, and a taxi promotion is also available for those who purchase their tickets online by noon of Friday 17th April.

With candlelight, music, history and atmosphere around every corner, this is one evening in Birgu you won’t want to miss.